Volkswagen Polo Match 2008 - Big MPG issue giving me a migraine

Manxman_in_exile

Yeah. I think we were doing too many short urban trips.


I was surprised how inaccurate our computer was. I expected it to be "optimistic" but not to the extent it was.

almillar

Erm, do you maybe want to rethink that?

Ooops! Sorry, yes, DIVIDE the number of litres by 4.54 (ish) to get gallons.

I can't understand how people are getting such low mpg figures in smaller cars

Small cars are less aerodynamic than big (or rather, long) cars. A standard three box saloon shape will always glide through the air better than a fiesta because there's everything is more sloped on the way on, and the way off the car, for the air to travel over. So relatively, big cars take a smaller hit to MPG on motorways, than smaller cars will.

insert_random_name_here

Buy a motorcycle. YKIMS!

One of my (larger) bikes does roughly 45mpg, so I know that I get approximately 10 miles per litre (1 gallon = 4.55 litres). So all I do to track my MPG is fill up and zero the odometer trip. When I next fill up I look at the miles and compare with the litres - 210 miles and 21 litres I know I'm doing well. Less miles and it's an indication that I've been riding it like I stole it.

Same applies to cars. More than 10 miles / litre = better than 45mpg. Less than 10 miles = worse.

z1a

bigjl wrote: »

That is pretty hard usage for a Saab turbo.

Are you doing shorter oil and filter changes?

I would be doing 6monthly (with Full Synth) regardless of miles as that engine was a known sludger that could have camchain problems wasn't it?

Maybe every 9 -10 months inc. filter, never had an engine problem or untoward noises in the 40k miles I've had it.

z1a

insert_random_name_here wrote: »

Buy a motorcycle. YKIMS!

One of my (larger) bikes does roughly 45mpg, so I know that I get approximately 10 miles per litre (1 gallon = 4.55 litres). So all I do to track my MPG is fill up and zero the odometer trip. When I next fill up I look at the miles and compare with the litres - 210 miles and 21 litres I know I'm doing well. Less miles and it's an indication that I've been riding it like I stole it.

Same applies to cars. More than 10 miles / litre = better than 45mpg. Less than 10 miles = worse.

Bet your bikes a bike Kwak ain't it? I run an old zzr1100, tend to use most of it's potential on the odd nice Sunday and I struggle to drop much below 40mpg. mates on same runs on Hayabusas & Blackbirds easily return less than 30mpg.

bigjl

z1a wrote: »

Maybe every 9 -10 months inc. filter, never had an engine problem or untoward noises in the 40k miles I've had it.

To be perfectly honest I usually over service my cars as it gives me something to do when I am at a loose end.

But I would certainly be using Full Synth in your Saab Turbo.

That was all Saab did to cure the sludging and camchain problems. Saab specialists had been advising people change 6monthly or 6000miles for a while with good results.

If I remember correctly part of the problem was routing of the exhaust and turbo pipe work, right beside the sump which meant he oil was getting an awful lot hotter than designed.

Though thinking about it that would be an advantage for your short trip Saab as the oil will be getting nice and hot every time for the same reason:beer:

BananaRepublic

I used to get 47mpg from a Ford Ka, official mpg 42. I get about 61 mpg from a VW Up, official mpg 63. I used to get 65mpg on a better commute.

You do better in summer when the engine warms up quicker, the air is less dense, and headlights and heating are used less.

Driving style makes a huge difference. Keep a distance from the car in front, anticipate, ease off the throttle rather than braking where possible, use a high gear when safe, and so on. IAM lessons should help you improve your car control.

BananaRepublic

And better car control means less wear. My Ka did 160,000 miles on the same clutch. My Up has done 70,000 miles on one clutch and one set of brake disks and pàds.

insert_random_name_here

z1a wrote: »

Bet your bikes a bike Kwak ain't it? I run an old zzr1100, tend to use most of it's potential on the odd nice Sunday and I struggle to drop much below 40mpg. mates on same runs on Hayabusas & Blackbirds easily return less than 30mpg.

Actually it's a BMW R1150GS, but it's an old-school engine like the ZZR1100 (which interesting is a bike I have my eye on at the moment...)